Kemper L. Sackman

May 1, 1950-July 25, 2013

Kemper Lane Sackman, 63, passed away in his sleep in Homer on July 25, 2013.

A celebration of his life will be held from 3-7 p.m., Aug. 17, 2013, at the Down East Saloon.

Kemper was born in Riverton, Wyo., on May 1, 1950, to the late Kemper Eugene and Lois Sackman. His mother was a teacher and thus, Kemper chose to commit his entire life to giving everyone else “an education.”

“Kemper will always be remembered for living life to its fullest and never missing a chance to try something different. He leaves this world with a social footprint the size of the state of Alaska and a bucket list the size of a thimble,” his family said.

Born and raised in Riverton, after high school, and some education in Laramie, Wyo., he worked as a mountain climbing guide with Exum Mountain Guides out of Jackson, Wyo., in the early 1970s. His skill of ice and big mountain climbing led him to a number of first ascents in the Wind River and Teton Mountain Ranges. His passion for ascending the vertical lead him to the derricks of oil rigs.

He worked as a driller on oil rigs in Wyoming, around the world in Libya, and for Pool Arctic Alaska on the North Slope. Oil may have brought him to Alaska, but the fish and game kept him here. In 1987 he founded a company called Alaska/Wyoming Outdoor Adventures where he sought to share the best fishing, hunting and climbing opportunities that both states provided. From Chitna, he offered whitewater rafting trips and jet boat charters for dipnetters. For five years in the early 1990s he ran a halibut charter fishing boat, the “Dutch Treat,” for Alaska Ocean Charters in Homer.

For the last 12 years he owned and operated KS Mechanical, a plumbing contracting business based in Homer, that often worked on projects in remote Alaskan villages. For he and the men he worked with he always managed “to make ends meet,” figuratively speaking.

Kemper loved mountain climbing, bow hunting elk and moose, fishing and spending time with his son’s family at their cabin in Soldotna. He will be remembered too as one of the world’s best storytellers based on his many exciting adventures.

He also was preceded in death by a sister, Kerry Sackman, and his granddaughter Sabella Lane Serrano. Survivors include the children he chose, Shane and Synette Serrano in Alaska, and Phaedra Serrano in California; three sisters, Gail and Deena Sackman of Washington and Jana Eaton of Arizona; his niece and nephew, Tory Kretsch and Erin Martin. His grandkids, Kemper Wayne and Sawyer Clark Serrano, will miss his skill at pulling them on waterskis.

“He will be mourned and missed by the many who considered him family, and those he ever offered his handshake and friendship to,” his family said.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be mailed, in the name of his grandkids, to Kemper and Sawyer Serrano, P.O. Box 3086, Homer, AK 99603.